The historic Fort Donelson was named for him when he was serving as a Brigadier in the Tennessee militia, early in the American Civil War.

He was commissioned as a regular Confederate general, serving notably at the battles of Perryville and Stones River.

Donelson and his wife Margaret had 10 children born between 1834 and 1854: Mary, Sarah, Emily, Rebecca, Samuel, Martha, James, Susan, John B., and Daniel.

[1][2] They resided first at the Daniel Smith Donelson House and later at Hazel Path, both located in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

(Fort Henry was a poor site, as it nearly flooded and was easily captured by Union General Grant.)

Donelson was promoted to major general on 5 March 1863 (to rank from 17 January); the Confederate Senate approved his appointment on April 22, prior to learning of his death a week earlier.

He died of chronic diarrhea at the mineral water resort Montvale Springs, near Knoxville, Tennessee.